A Timeless Approach to Product

I’m in the midst of a bit of an update—towards a Timeless approach to Product Management.

Overview:
Strategy flows to Market Development and Product Development to split results delivery into two horizons.

Timeless Product Management

Timeless Product Management is a product management approach that aligns market and product development to one strategy. It’s not about developing a great product, it’s about developing an intentional product that meets the market’s needs and continues to do so time and time again.

What sets the Timeless way apart?

A timeless product approach redefines the product journey, setting it apart from conventional methodologies with its focus on market, customer and product development as discrete investment activities. Unlike traditional approaches that encourage silos, or overlap, the timeless way measures the success of each distinctive activities.

Integrated Approach: We align market development and product development activities to the same strategy—this guarantees that every product not only meets the current market demands but also anticipates future trends.
Beyond the Backlog: Moving away from the typical task-oriented backlog management, the timeless way emphasizes strategic impact. It forces product teams to look beyond deliverables to encompass the product experience that will lead to true customer preference.
Value Proposition and Positioning: We intentionally separate out value proposition from positioning, ensuring that products are not only built with a clear purpose but are also marketed to highlight their distinct advantages in a competitive landscape.

Overview of the Methodology:

The approach is structured around three core pillars: (1) Market Development, (2) Product Development, and (3) Measurement, each designed to reinforce the other, creating a robust strategy that drives market leadership.

Market Development: Our methodology begins with understanding and defining the product’s place in the market. Through strategic positioning and targeted communication, we craft a narrative that aligns with the customer’s needs and desires, establishing a solid foundation for market entry and growth.
Product Development: With a clear market vision, we transition to turning strategic insights into product realities. This phase focuses on aligning the product’s development with its intended market position, ensuring every feature and function serves a strategic purpose.
Measurement: The linchpin of our approach is the continuous evaluation of product performance and market response. This feedback loop informs adjustments in both product and market strategies, ensuring the product remains relevant and competitive.

The timeless way is more than a set of processes—it’s a philosophy that guides products from product/market fit to product/customer win. By prioritizing strategic over tactical we ensure our partners achieve and sustain market success.

timeless methods win

Each week, I dedicate time to crafting insights that are left unspoken in the product community. My mission is to provide a timeless perspective that invites you and your teams to achieve enduring success.

If my ideas on the Timeless Product Method resonate with you, I encourage you to share them and discuss how these principles can be applied in your organization. If there’s a topic you’d like to hear about in a future viewpoint, please let me know. I appreciate your thoughts.

Together, we will build a product discipline that works for everyone: our teams, colleagues, businesses, and customers. Your engagement and reflection are the ultimate rewards for my work.

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thank you,

—Mikal